The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-16
MEMPHIS APPEAL--wEpNEsDAY, FEBRUARY 49, 1887.
A FIENDISH IPRlZE FIGHT
A pLUCKY LITTLE FELLOW
STANDS UP TO HIS
Superior After Being Blinded and
Numerically Punished by
Sledge: Hammer Blows.

CHICAGO. Feb. 15.-One OF the mos
holly contested skin glove contests
that has ever taken place in this vicin.
lty, occurred early yesterday morning
in q vacant barn about five miles south
of this city, the contestants being
George LHwood Of New York, Known
as the "hsmmsr," and Frank Stirk, oil
Philadelphia, both of whom weighed
when stripped, in the neighDorhood
OF 100 pounds, which was for $500 a
side and the gate money, was wit
messed by only about twenty people
beside the referee and seconds, aud
they paid $40 each for the privilege.
The party left in carriages about 7 80
o'clock and arrived at their destina
ton about 8 o'clock, where no time
was lost in building a ring and getting
things in proper shape. All being
gotten ready, in short order the men
stripped and entered the ring, a well
known Chicago sporting man having
been selected as referee. After the
principals and their seconds had
shaken hands slime" was called for.
Round l-Larwood ;-started in to
rush matters and win right Of the
reel ii possible, whilst Silk acted on
the defensive. Larwood go. home with
the lett on the face and Stirk on the
body. Larwood, after q long interval
Of sparrinp, again landed his left on
Stirk's eye, the latter countering
heavily on the bs. The second clos d
with both sparring for an opening.
Round 2-Stirk's left eye was put
ting on mourning, but otherwise both
men looked fresh. Rushing right at
his man, Strk landed a terrific blow
on L1Iwood's mouth, knocking him
clean through the ropes. Following
up his advantage as soon as Larwood
was on his feet, Stirk again knocked
him into his corner. The New Yorker
again came up pluckily and after a
few feints the round ended.
Rom Is 3, 4, and 8, showed some
very clever and scientific work on the
part OF both men, no damage to sd FAX
Of being derived by either, both being
pref y we'll winded.
Round 7-Larwood, having gotten
his second wind, seemed inclined to
rush matters, aud going straight TO
his man he landed twice with his left
on Stirk's eye, which was now COM
pletely closed, getting away both times
without a return. They then came
together with rush and were clinched
when slime" was called.
Round 8-Stirk's eyes were closing
fast, but he WAS as game as pebble and
came up smiling, while George was as
fresh as daisy, Going right to his
man, he played with both hands on
Sihk's face like trip hammer, and
was Furnishing him wlckedly when
the round closed.
Rouna 9.-It was all over but the
shouting as Stirk came up completely
blind and unable to mill, whi''e MS
opponent was but little the worse fos
wear. The hammer sgain went to
work with both hands on Stirk's face,
which now resembled piece OF raw
beef. He took the terrible gruelling,
however, like wooden man, being
Knocked down seven times before the
round closed.
Round 10-Stirk's friends and Sec
onds begged him to throw up the
sponge, and even the hammer asked
him to quit, as he did not want to
punish 80 game man any more, but
10 all their entreaties Stirk ans Wered,
"Not till you carry me out of the
ring" He was 30 blind that he had
10 feel his way ON the ropes. Larwood
again played like trip hammer ON
the poor fellows face, knocking him
down at will, but each time the plucky
fellow came back before time was
called. Just at the close OF the round
Larwood struck him squaIely on the
chin with a terrific right handed
blow, Sirk falling on his face, cutting
his forehead badly. He had fully a
minute to recover in, however, and
came gamely up for
Round 1.-THE blood was running
down Stirk's face Ia streams, and his
friends and hackers again begged him
to give up the fight, but his only au-
swer was, "Push me toward the mid
die Of the ring" which his seconds
did. Larwood gave him q terrific
right handed upper cut, and he fell
like a log, ats all over" shouted
the spec tators, but at the end Of nine
he was on his feet agsin. Lar
wood now refused TO hit him, and both
stood In the ring till time" was
called, Stirk still Insisting that the fight
should go on.
When the twelfth and last round
was begun, the "hsmmet" stood look
ing at bis man for fully a minute, and
then landed a terrific right handler on
Stirk's jugular, knocking him com.
pie ely out, and the fight was over.